NCAAF Power Rankings: Week 9

WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT...WE THINK

Some strong statements made this week in college football, both good and bad.  Florida chewed up Georgia.  Texas rolled over Oklahoma State in Stillwater.  Oregon took USC behind the woodshed, and Iowa used a huge  4th quarter to whoop Indiana.

Disappointing weekend for fans expecting to watch some good games as the scores show.

• #6 TCU 41 – UNLV 0
• #7 Boise State 45 – San Jose State 7
• #8 Cincinnati 28 – Syracuse 7
• #9 LSU 42 – Tulane 0
• #11 Georgia Tech 56 – Vanderbilt 31

You get the point, right?  So with another week in the books, there’s a shakeup at the top of our power rankings.

Florida: The Gators made sure Georgia’s miserable season continued on Sunday with a 41-17 beating in Jacksonville.  The annual contest is dubbed The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, but the only ones partying were the folks from Gainesville.  Florida still has question marks especially at wide receiver, but the defense is solid and there’s too much talent for them to falter before facing Bama in the SEC Championship Game.

Texas: We’ve been waiting for a statement game from the Longhorns all year long, and they finally gave it to us on Saturday.  Sure, Oklahoma State was playing without its biggest weapon, but not even Dez Bryant would have made a difference in this one.  The defense returned to picks for TDs, and at 41-7, the game was over before the 4th quarter started.  With their biggest tests out of the way, we’d be shocked if Texas didn’t waltz into the National Championship Game.

Alabama: Last week’s close win raised some question marks, and Texas’ convincing win on the road moves them up for now.  I still think Bama has a great shot to beat Florida in the SEC Championship Game.  They’re defense is the best in the country, and they can run the ball with anyone.  That wins a lot of football games.

Oregon: Wow. Last week we said USC’s defense “has cracks”.  Turns out they’re gaping holes.  Oregon put up 613 yards of offense including 391 on the ground in dismantling the Trojans.  Everybody watching – from the fans to the broadcasters to the coaches and players – knew they could do whatever they wanted to with the ball.  USC had no chance of stopping them. Give the Ducks credit.  After the opening loss to Boise State and the ugliness afterward, they’ve proven they’re a damn good football team.

Stay tuned for TJR’s NFL Power Rankings coming later in the week.